I am a Roman Catholic priest, a "cradle Catholic" who grew up in an age of
Catholic triumphalism. As children we were told to play only with Catholics.
Since Notre Dame football team won almost all their games at that time, we
believed that proved we were better. As I grew older, got involved in a parish,
and eventually entered the seminary, I could see the Catholic Church was
definitely not perfect. But still I believed we were the best. As I continued
my studies for the priesthood and was ordained, it was obvious the local
Catholic church had serious problems. After I received a new outpouring of the
Holy Spirit, the sinfulness and demonic strongholds in our church became
glaringly obvious. It seemed the Catholic Church had a monopoly on evil.
However, by working with Protestant pastors, I was able to see that some of the
evils in the Catholic Church were also in their denominations. This spiritual
journey left me with a more realistic understanding of the Catholic Church.

We Catholics are in serious condition. Many of our people are "dry bones"
(Ez 37). Many strongholds of the devil are entrenched in our churches. We are
often lukewarm and confused due to our compromise with our pleasure-seeking,
secular humanistic culture of death. Nonetheless, the Lord clearly,
passionately, and unconditionally loves the Catholic Church. I would never
advise anyone to leave the Catholic Church, and I thank God I'm a Catholic
Christian.

DOES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH GO BY THE BIBLE?

Some critics maintain that the Catholic Church doesn't go by the Bible, and
therefore, any Bible-believing Christian must leave it. But, in fact, the
Catholic Church does go by the Bible, by an in-depth understanding of the
Bible. The problem is that most Catholics are Biblically illiterate, although
our faith is based on deep Biblical understanding. In the past, this gap was
bridged by trusting in the pastor and church authorities, but this doesn't
always work in our times. At this point, Catholics desperately need accelerated
Bible study to bridge the gap and understand their faith. Otherwise, they will
become confused and possibly lose their faith.

I believe the Catholic Church is the most Biblical of all churches. But you
must know your Bible well to recognize this. The Catholic Church, unlike any
other Christian group, has been able to teach and apply such Biblical teachings
as the Eucharist, gospel poverty, and celibacy. It has strongly opposed
divorce, abortion, and artificial birth control. All these Biblically-based
teachings are extremely important because they deal with worship, life, death,
sexuality, family, life-style, and ultimately the lordship of Jesus over our
practical everyday lives. But the Catholic Church has its blind spots,
especially in the area of Biblical finances. The Catholic Church will always be
incomplete without learning from Protestants and other groups. Also,
Protestants need to learn from Catholics. One part of Christ's body can't say
to another part: "I do not need you" (1 Cor 12:21).

SHOULD I LEAVE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?

Even though the Catholic Church is very Biblical, many Catholic churches,
especially in the United States and Europe, are not feeding their people
spiritually. The question arises: "Should I leave the Catholic Church if I'm
not being fed?" The answer is "No." The Church is not a restaurant but a
relationship with brothers and sisters in Jesus. We shouldn't divorce our wives
if they don't cook, so we shouldn't leave our pastors if they don't feed us.
But, we don't have to starve to death. We can supplement our spiritual diet
with Christian books, audio/video recordings, TV, radio, retreats, and special services. Then we
can stay in our church and be a light and a leaven of renewal.

This also applies to a church that is stifling the Spirit. Why should those
open to the Spirit move while others stay? "There is One greater in you than
there is in the world" (1 Jn 4:4). Whether or not we are the pastor or among
the official leaders of the Church is not the question. We have authority over
evil spirits in Jesus' name. We can move mountains by the prayer of faith. If
we can't claim Jesus' victory in the Catholic Church, we won't be able to claim
it in the world, at work, or in the home. By faith let's hold our ground.

With a profound respect for Christians of all denominations, realizing the
evils in the Catholic Church, and knowing personally how difficult it is to
revive "dry bones," by faith I thank God that I'm a Catholic Christian. I thank
Him for the rich spiritual treasures of the Catholic community, and I ask for
the grace to be healed of "church hurts" and to love unconditionally the
Catholic Church and all followers of Jesus Christ. Brothers and sisters, will
you join me in this prayer?

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